Previous newsletter.

La version française.

Dear AGSEM members, old and new,

We wish you a successful start of the Winter semester!

The Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM) is the oldest TA union in Quebec, and represents both Teaching Assistants and Invigilators employed at McGill. This newsletter has some important information about upcoming events, training sessions and meetings, as well as your labour rights.

Contents

• Training, Workshops, and Events
• Important Reminders
• Negotiations, Labor Relations, and Unionization Drive
• In the Community

Training, Workshops, and Events

Skillsets TA Training

On November 30, 2022, AGSEM had a General Assembly of TA and Invigilator members. The primary purpose of this meeting was a midterm financial review, but we discussed several issues, including the university’s COVID-19 response, solidarity with striking student interns, and disbursed funds from the union’s Mutual Aid Fund.

Find the summary of the meeting written by Emma McKay, Mobilization Chief Delegate, below:

• All 3 mask motions approved!

  • Advocating for campus-wide mask mandate (66 Y / 5 N)

    Read more

On November 30, 2022, AGSEM had a General Assembly of TA and Invigilator members. The primary purpose of this meeting was a midterm financial review, but we discussed several issues, including the university’s COVID-19 response, solidarity with striking student interns, and disbursed funds from the union’s Mutual Aid Fund.

Find the summary of the meeting written by Emma McKay, Mobilization Chief Delegate, below:

• All 3 mask motions approved!

  • Advocating for campus-wide mask mandate (66 Y / 5 N)

    Read more

Dear Invigilators,

Welcome to another final exam session at McGill! This newsletter contains an introduction to the union, as well as important information about your rights as an invigilator—especially in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We also have exciting news about our raise from negotiations, which will go into effect on December 11!

AGSEM is advocating for a safe and sanitary working environment for invigilators during the Fall 2022 final exam period. We asked the employer a number of questions to learn about the health and safety standards the University put in place. You can find information AGSEM received from McGill on our website at www.agsem.ca/pandemic-invigilation.

MONTRÉAL, Jan. 18, 2022 - AGSEM, the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill, is strongly concerned about McGill University’s decision to return to in-person activities on January 24th 2022, at least one week earlier than Concordia, Université de Montréal, or UQAM. We are asking the university to reconsider its decision.

After fluctuating for almost two years, COVID-19 cases have reached new peaks in Quebec and all over the world. On December 22nd and on multiple occasions in the past weeks–including during a meeting with McGill’s Principal Suzanne Fortier on January 6th–AGSEM strongly cautioned the university that mandating the return to in-person teaching too quickly would put teaching assistants and other members of the McGill community at a high risk of contracting the virus. The university refuses to listen to our recommendations. Since McGill is already prepared to deliver most courses remotely, AGSEM requests, once again, that the university opt for a precautionary approach by keeping teaching activities at fully or partially remote mode of delivery until sanitary conditions improve.

AGSEM and PGSS have teamed up yet again to bring you a second Survey to gauge McGill graduate students’ Fall 2021 in-person comfort levels. This survey presents different scenarios for Fall 21, for the purposes of providing PGSS and AGSEM with feedback on what positions to take when advocating on behalf of grad students to McGill administration. Relevant data may also be shared with AMURE, AMUSE, MCLIU, and MAUT.

Please answer all questions based on your own projected vaccine status as of September 1st.

Previous Newsletter

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

AGSEM demands sent today to McGill higher administration due to the increase in COVID-19 cases

December 22, 2021

Dear Professor Manfredi,

In follow up to the letter that was sent to you on June 21, 2021, we would like to reiterate some of our requests based on the current sanitary condition in the province of Quebec.

After fluctuating for almost two years now, COVID-19 cases are again rising in Quebec and all over the world. Since McGill is already prepared to deliver most classes remotely, AGSEM would like to request , once again, that you opt for a precautionary approach by moving teaching activities to the fully or partially remote mode of delivery in Winter 2022.

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

During the past few days, AGSEM has on several occasions expressed its concerns with McGill’s administration about it’s willingness to resume in-person teaching activities on January 24th, 2022. Once again, we ask the university to remain vigilant and maintain online teaching where possible until sanitary conditions improve.

Right to refuse unsafe work

As stated in article 15.02.05 of the TA Collective Agreement, you have the right to refuse unsafe work.

To see the highlights of the updated survey conducted in August 2021, go here.

In April 2021, PGSS and AGSEM conducted a survey amongst McGill graduate students to measure their comfort levels and preferences regarding returning to campus for the Fall 2021 semester. 704 graduate students participated in the survey, 392 of which are employed at McGill.

Below, you can find the summary of the survey results. Please note that this data was collected in the early spring, very shortly before the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Quebec province significantly improved.

To see the highlights of the updated survey conducted in August 2021, go here.

In April 2021, PGSS and AGSEM conducted a survey amongst McGill graduate students to measure their comfort levels and preferences regarding returning to campus for the Fall 2021 semester. 704 graduate students participated in the survey, 392 of which are employed at McGill.

Below, you can find the summary of the survey results. Please note that this data was collected in the early spring, very shortly before the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Quebec province significantly improved.